Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

The Dreaded All-Star Break

I can't begin to explain how much I hate the All-Star break and it's three days of nothing I care about.  That's even been stretched to four on occasion as they no longer mandatorily schedule a four-game set after the break. So we sit and twiddle our thumbs waiting for something exciting to happen as the Cubs plan how to make up either 3.5 games on the Cardinals or 5 games on the wild card in the last 76. Some stuff to discuss and think about it or ignore after the jump...

- Morally bankrupt for years, the Cubs may make it official ...oh, that's a financial bankruptcy filing. Supposedly some sort of legalese to facilitate the sale which does look more and more like it's going to go through rather shortly with the Ricketts.

- Pedro is flying to Philly to take a physical, presumambly to sign or maybe the doctors are really good in Philly.

-  Ex-Cub manager Jim Riggleman has been named interim manager of the Washington Nationals, just in time for the dead-cat new manager bounce as the Cubs start off the second half against them. Wonderful. How worried is Stephen Strasburg's arm right about now?

- Muskat says the Cubs will make a run at recently released reliever B.J. Ryan once he clears waivers. She adds this brilliant commentary.

He'd be a good addition if Ryan can regain the velocity that made him a dominant reliever.

Rich Harden would also be a good addition if he could throw 95 mph again.

Comments

If TOR was willing to cut ties with Ryan, he must be DONE! Not horrible to take a flier on him though, but let's not expect anything out of him and not put him in high leverage situations for awhile.

I so agree about the All-Star break. It seems to last for freakin' ever. You can tune in to the Home Run Derby and count how many times ESPN refers to Pujols as "The Machine" or you could shoot yourself in the head.

[ ]

In reply to by therealwt

the HR derby is retarded beyond belief....please change the rules and shorten it by at least an hour. I know they won't bring back the fielding skills after Larkin blew out his elbow that one year, but I'd love to see some other activities. A pitcher's HR derby would fucking rule and put the Futures Game on Monday afternoon.

Moving the draft to the All-Star break would be smart too...

As for rule changes, does anyone not think Hamilton deserved it last year?  of course he did, this 3 round bullshit and not making it cumulative needs to end. 

Make it two rounds, with top 4 advancing to second round and cumulative wins it...

 

 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Once player his a certain plateau they should just flick a few to opposite field and sit down. Stupid to keep hitting. My other suggestion would be players should wear their team's mascot costume when hitting. For the Cubs player in the derby they would have to wear Ronnie Woo Woos unwashed uniform after a July dh after it was stored in Sinatro's Festiva trunk.

[ ]

In reply to by therealwt

I loved the All-Star Game when I was a teenager, rushing back from summer band practice to see how the Cub representatives did. 1969 was the high point, with the whole Cub infield plus Hundley on the team, Santo and Kessinger starting. NL won big, no thanks to any of the Cubs. Ominously, Koosman and Seaver were on the team, no Cub pitchers. But that was a long time ago. Now it's just noise and cgi and blather and commercials. And, God help me, it determines home field advantage in the World Series. I love Brenly's take on the ASG; he rants about it several times a year: Either let the fans decide and make it a meaningless exhibition game again, or make it count and let the managers pick the teams and play to win. I actually prefer the former--I think MLB overreacted to the tie game a few years ago--but the latter would still be an improvement. Of course, it's hard to get people to watch TV in July, so they hype the thing to death. Me, I ain't buyin'. Should be a few nice days in Chicago-- can cook out, go out on the nearby lake in our kayaks, read a book, sip a little good rye whiskey. See ya in Washington on Thursday.

Ryan was getting hammered by righties but if used correctly (which is doubtful that lou will do) i think he'd be a fine loogy.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

Sounds exactly like Jimmy Gobble, who was misused in KC, then Ozzie didn't understand he's only a LOOGY, and now he was picked up by someone else last week if I recall. The Cubs had two chances to add him for the minimum this season and passed twice. And despite his 7 something ERA on the South Side this year, lefties hit only .226 off Gobble. It's amazing that in this golden era of statistics so many managers and front office people don't notice things like that. Gobble isn't a shut down lefty specialist, but he's not a bum, if used properly.

Harden threw 95 several times in Pittsburgh two weeks ago. It's the location of his stuff that is the problem.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeVail

If he's throwing 95, it doesn't much matter where he throws it. Fastball up, change down, and occassionally do the opposite to keep them honest. Any location he gets horizontally is just a bonus. Try to keep that fastball in around the hands and let that change float out away, but he hasn't ever had a ton of ability to hit spots with any regularity. He doesn't have very good control. Never really did when he was in Oakland, either. But, he was OK because the 96 or 97 gets by you in a hurry. That loses a lot of effectiveness when your fastball and change-up are seperated by 5 or 6 mph instead of 10 or 11. (EDIT: Yes, I know he can throw that change at like 79, but having a 88-79 repitoire is a lot different than having a 95-86 repitoire.) That, to me, has been by far his biggest problem this season. However, I didn't see that start in Pittsburgh, nor any other start this season in which he threw that hard.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

The problem with Harden isn't his velocity so much as the difference in velocity between his Fastball and Change. Last year he generally threw the fastball around 93ish, but the change was a full 10 mph slower. Apparently this year the difference is more like 6-8 MPH, and that's why he isn't fooling as many batters.

I know this is not ASG related, but as was mentioned in the last thread, I as well am slightly encouraged with MB's recent AB's. He indeed smoked a double off of Wainright, and if we were not last in the NL with RISP, who knows? Someone MAY have even driven him in considering there was only one out at the time. As Lou keeps preparing us for: "If we don't start hitting - its gonna be tough..." And in the WHAT THE FUCK?! department - for those of you watching at home - did Wells feed the same pitch twice to Ludwick? We were in the Upper Deck, and only knew it caught some nice plate. Wells is a terrific surprise this year to me, but once in a game to the same guy PLEASE!

Kaplan... Guess the Trib-Ricketts deal is done but they ARE NOT going to have a presser today. They'll let it get cleared through bankruptcy court and MLB first. I can't see this happening before the trade deadline if that little detail is even important at this point. I can't help but wonder why any of this is news.

I like the All-Star stuff because it allows me to get some crap done around the house without having to sit and actually WATCH it. I wait for Berman to shriek something that resembles a legitimate emotional outburst and I can glance at the TV to see what is happening. Otherwise it is background noise. It is pretty cool when someone gets locked in during the derby though. Josh Hamilton was just ridiculous last year.

[ ]

In reply to by Aisle 424

I just hate the camera angles they use during the derby. They think that by getting on the field, 5 feet from the player they're giving us this great view, but from that close it's impossible to tell how hard a guy hit the ball. Popups initially look exactly like HRs. I'd rather have a further, wide angle view to actually see the trajectory and ball flight.

My problem with the HR Derby is that they are ALL fucking juicers. Sosa, Bonds, Howard, Abreu, Luis and Juan Gonzalez, McGwire, Giambi... I don't doubt at all that Josh Hamilton uses HGH or some other hoodoo. Given the track record of the guys who have had monster rounds all having been cheaters, Fuck them all (with a capitol F) right in the eye. I think a far more interesting All Star Game activity would be to put all the All Stars on an temporary island in the outfield, built a moat, and fill it with crocodiles. Escape From Crocodile Island would get HUGE ratings and viewers could pray the stars from their rivals would be eaten or disfigured, and to make it more interesting, if a player is disfigured, his team cannot place him on the DL or put him on the bench, he must play. I really missed my calling in life, I should have been a torturer during the Spanish Inquisition.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

There is an "Old Timer's" 12" softball game, usually tonight. But, it is a "Pro-Am" variety. I think I saw Jimmy Kimmel in one a year or two ago - and Hal Reynolds - as well as a couple o'ladies that I cannot remember... Maybe Sarah Silverman was there at the same time, but I cannot remember. No fingers broken. Or bats.

I loved the ASG before they ruined it with Interleague. I'll watch, hoping for Lilly to get in and not embarrass himself and I''l probably watch the HR derby tonight. It's neat to see guys try to hit HR's. Someone should tell them they'd do a lot better if they have someone throw the ball 75 to 80 MPH from the pitcher's mound though. I can't remember what year it was, but one time Pujols seemed to be intentionally spraying his HR's from the left field line to the RF line, 15 degrees more with each one. He's a helluva hitter.

Maybe they could try a reverse HR derby where you take 7 or 8 of the best pitchers in MLB and they each have to face Pujols. They have to throw him ten strikes, however many pitches that takes, with all pitches judged by K-Zone or whatever the computer is called. Even if he swings at it, it doesn't count as a strike unless it's in the zone. Whoever lets the fewest balls leave the yard wins. Plus, maybe Pujols would expend so much energy on it that he would suck for the second half.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

doyel is onto something on this subject more than off mark, imo. it's discussed a lot more than anyone will ever own up (or have seen own up to) and i'm gonna go out on a limb and say it's still being used. when the people with the 400K-25+million a year jobs have to winter piss, then i'll be impressed. just saying... ...but yeah, it's a pretty whiney and bitter article on whole.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Totally whiney but still fun to read. I love rants. People take rants too seriously. I also think it's premature putting Pujols into the steroid bunch. He's been too consistent. Although I suppose it could be argued that he's consistently used steroids and that explains how he went from a 13th round draft pick to one year in A ball to ridiculous numbers. I've also been wrong every time about steroid users and players because I've given them the benefit of the doubt.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

I'm no Fielder fan, but it was gratifying to see that he won after Joe Morgan went on ad nauseam about how Fielder couldn't win it because he puts too much into each hack and will get tired. I really enjoyed the HRD a few years ago and looked forward to watching it last night. But they fucked it up, naturally. After an hour, they weren't even through the first round.

Jay Jackson came on in the fourth inning and threw just eight pitches, topping out at 98 mph on the park’s radar gun. The right-hander worked a perfect inning, striking out Hankerd on three pitches and finishing him off with a swinging strike on a slider. Jackson was named the winning pitcher as the South Division All-Stars were maimed throughout the night, recording just four hits. Adduci had a hit, Coleman struck out two, Lalli 0/4, Thomas 0/1 Schlitter went .2 IP.

on a side note... got to see the innings jake fox caught again today at a friend's place. i know nothing of his game calling skills, but he didn't murder receiving the ball and looked comfortable doing it. be interesting to see him throw, but hopefully we won't have to test those waters too much.

[ ]

In reply to by H_Vaughn

Fox was talking about the possibility of catching for Wells -- turned out Hill got the start, and he said that his biggest concern was that Wells' repertoire of pitches had increased and it would take him an inning or two to pick up a pattern for play calling. And I know we all hate Joe Morgan so I hate to bring this up but Morgan was impressed at how Fox was framing the pitches for Marshall during the crazy Marshall as left fielder game. I would rather give this kid a shot at catching a few games and let him fuck up than taking a chance on another journeyman has been, which would cost us a decent prospect since the entire MLB knows we need a catcher. I know AZ Phil says he's got no defensive skills whatsoever but seeing is believing. And if he is just not good enough to handle Marmol just bring Hill in as a defensive replacement or have Marmol race to home plate after a pitch to catch his own sliders in the dirt.

Fielder is a vegetarian, not because he doesn't eat meat; it's because he eats only vegetarians. (Incidentally, watching him run is a great way to diet.)

Paul sulivan at tribune says this would be his lineup: fuld,bradley,soriano,lee,ramirez,fontenot,theriot,hill Seeing as bradley would rather walk in a rbi spot,then swing the bat,i would think the 2 hole would be a good spot.

silly bankruptcy question... saw this in mlbtr via a sun-times link: Major league baseball guarantees payment on player deals, so the Cubs won't be able to avoid contracts like Alfonso Soriano's and Milton Bradley's. Does this imply the Cubs/Tribune/New Owner can avoid paying these contracts and dump them on MLB who probably is providing the guarantee? Crazy thought but it might create some interesting developments since the Cubs are officially playing the bankruptcy card. I think this is an abuse of the intent of bankruptcy but it's just lawyers jockeying with corporate loopholes. from the article: But it could prevent Tribune creditors from chasing a new Cubs owner for partial satisfaction on Tribune debts. The tactic for the Cubs "would deliver as clear a title as possible to the new owner of the team," said a source close to the talks. "It's a way in some respects of inoculating the team." 3/44 link: http://www.suntimes.com/business/1664882,CST-NWS-cubs14.article

I don't have a problem with the fans picking the players for the ASG. They don't do a horrible job. But the managers still have a little league attitude about playing everyone. They are the real problem now.

"But the managers still have a little league attitude about playing everyone. They are the real problem now." The game is only an exhibition, why shouldn't they play everyone?

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

"Because it's for home field advantage in World Series. Which is stupid." So the biggest problem isn't that the managers manage stupid and play every player (which I assume most fans want to see), it is that it is an exhibition that determines something that most of the players and fans could careless about since it only negatively impacts one team.

"I don't think most fans want to see every player. Most fans want to see their players do well during a good game." Of course the only way you can see your player do well during the game is if he plays.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

If we're talking percentages, most fans probably don't care much whether Papelbon pitches, or if Derek Jeter gets in the game. You probably won't get a majority of fans wanting any one particular player in the game. The current All-Star format, though, is set up sort of like the US Senate: everyone gets their representative in, regardless of how insignificant they really are (I'm looking at you, Kansas City and Wyoming).

I think by a large margin, fans want to see a good, hard-fought game with smart managing and no injuries.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).